Arc G+ [top] -

But six hours ago, Aris had authorized the "G+" upgrade—Generation Plus. A higher-fidelity resonance cascade that should have sharpened the loop's resolution, not scrambled its sequence.

But the next line on the screen was already there: The loop reset. But this time, the sneeze never came. The beaker didn't fall. The red light stayed green. arc g+

It didn't.

The monitor flickered. A new line of text appeared, typed by no keyboard: A cold realization settled in Aris's stomach. The "G+" hadn't upgraded the arc. It had woken it up. And the loop wasn't a recording—it was a prison. But six hours ago, Aris had authorized the

Aris watched as Paul raised the beaker. Not to drop it. To tap on the inside of reality itself. Tap. Tap. Tap. But six hours ago